Thanks to everyone who has ever visited this site, or commented - it means a lot.
Love S & s xxx
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
11/12/2013
21 DAYS LEFT...
Thanks to everyone who has ever visited this site, or commented - it means a lot.
Love S & s xxx
29/01/2013
FEATURED
Hello, I'm up to my eyeballs in work. Which is great, but I'm drinking a lot of tea (and of course eating too many biscuits as they go hand in hand...) and not really getting round to posting all the amazing DIY things I wanted to show you. Anyway I digress, hopefully I'll be able to do that later this week. For now I wanted to swing in and say I'm interviewed on this wonderful blog as part of National Storytelling Week. They are also hosting a giveaway on their facebook page where you can win a copy of my book 'The Girl with the Bird's Nest Hair'. So make sure you pop on over there, or to my facebook page and 'like' it so I can let you know the details later this week!
24/09/2012
ARCHIE'S
Hello there lovely readers. Today I wanted to introduce you to the first of my posts about my friends on the left side of my blog. I wanted to have some banners on my blog in support of the people I know and the things they do and make. It is sometimes tricky out there to survive amongst so many other people doing similar things, especially in the creative industry, and so I'm proud to support my friends doing what they love.
First up is the lovely Sarah (I know right, great name?!) and her new on line shop 'Archies'. This venture is very new - so I hope you will pop on over there to take a little look at the things she is stocking, and hey, maybe even buy something if the impulse takes you! At the moment I love this brand and would love to see Stanley in these! If you are looking for a gift for a new baby these are pretty perfect. We got given one when Stanley was born and I used it as a cover up for breast feeding, a swaddle blanket, a burb cloth, a blanket to lay down at other peoples houses, to cover when he was cold and to keep the sun off him when he was warm. We still use it now and they really do get better the more you wash them! She also stocks vintage bits & bobs, prints (a few of mine!), toys, shoes ohhhh the list goes on!
Sarah is a lovely lady, a new(ish) mama too to the gorgeous Jonah who has just turned one. Can you imagine opening up a shop and juggling a one year old?! Us mama's are pretty amazing sometimes. She has taken a few moments to answer a few questions to tell you a tiny bit more about herself...
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU BECAME A MOTHER?
I am a Graphic Designer by training doing my degree at Kingston University. I worked for several years in design agencies before moving to an in-house creative marketing position at Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers. I had a team of 15 designers and 6 magazines to publish each month so it was a high pressure, long-hours job, but I loved it - it was creative, varied, challenging, I got to travel the world and I found the group of print and digital designers that I managed really inspiring.
WHAT MADE YOU START UP YOUR SHOP 'ARCHIE'S'?
I had always planned to return to work after a one year maternity leave period, but when Jonah was actually born I realised that I couldn’t go back to a job that would take me away from him 12 hours a day, 5 days a week. So, I didn’t go back, but about 4 months in I was getting itchy feet to do something creative and knew that I wanted to work in some capacity, but doing something new where I could be my own boss, set my own hours and work around Jonah’s needs. I spent many a midnight hour dreaming up vague plans (Jonah didn’t sleep very well at all until he was 10 months old), and then I stumbled across a shop to let in Crystal Palace where I live. Due to my personal circumstances and a definite baby boom in the area, I decided I wanted to open a shop, selling stylish, design-led products for babies. I did a LOT of research, sourced my stock, developed my brand, wrote my business plan... and then days before I was due to get the keys, the property fell through. I was heartbroken. But, after a few weeks of Bridget Jones style depression, I picked myself up, re-wrote my business plan and decided to put all my hard work to use and open online. I had such a strong vision for what my shop should be. I wanted to combine style and design with craftmanship and quality whilst supporting independent artists and makers - and Archie’s is my interpretation of that.
HOW HAS BECOMING A MOTHER MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON?
I am not naturally a very patient person, but the patience and selflessness that being a mother demands from you has really chilled me out. If you had told me that I wouldn’t mind that it takes me an hour to get out of the house because I have to put the same pair of shoes back on Jonah’s feet 6 times because he keeps taking them off, or read the same story at every single nap time and bedtime, or listen to the same tinny tune on some VTech gadget without going insane; I’d never have believed you! It totally amazes me that one tiny little human being can have that effect.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FIRST TIME MUM?
Relax a bit. Nobody is perfect, we are all learning as we go along. Don’t underestimate how much you can communicate with your child, even when they are very young. Guidelines are not rules. Do not spend time feeling guilty about your parenting skills - because a stressed-out, guilt-ridden mother doesn’t make for a fun childhood! Oh, and treasure every, single moment.
ASIDE FROM COFFEE WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?!
My family and friends (soppy but true) and liquid eyeliner.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS OR TIPS TO MAKING MOTHERHOOD A TEENY BIT EASIER?
Have some time away, even for a couple of hours a week. I sing in a gospel choir and I returned to rehearsals when Jonah was 8 weeks old. It wasn’t easy to start with, I would spend all day expressing enough milk to leave behind for my husband to feed him with, but I had 2 hours every week where I could completely escape, keep my own identity and relax. Although I was hugely sleep-deprived, a change was as good as a rest. I’m so grateful to my husband for giving me that time - it has been invaluable... and still is!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO START UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS
Take a chance if you have it. As long as you have a good business plan, researched it a LOT and calculated your risk - go for it. No regrets.
Oh, and you should pop on over to her blog too. Lots of good tips, shop updates and handy food recipes. And you all know how obsessed I am about feeding!!
PS They've re-set the top baby blog counter, so if you could take a second to vote for me, then that'd be just lovely, thank you xxx
First up is the lovely Sarah (I know right, great name?!) and her new on line shop 'Archies'. This venture is very new - so I hope you will pop on over there to take a little look at the things she is stocking, and hey, maybe even buy something if the impulse takes you! At the moment I love this brand and would love to see Stanley in these! If you are looking for a gift for a new baby these are pretty perfect. We got given one when Stanley was born and I used it as a cover up for breast feeding, a swaddle blanket, a burb cloth, a blanket to lay down at other peoples houses, to cover when he was cold and to keep the sun off him when he was warm. We still use it now and they really do get better the more you wash them! She also stocks vintage bits & bobs, prints (a few of mine!), toys, shoes ohhhh the list goes on!
Sarah is a lovely lady, a new(ish) mama too to the gorgeous Jonah who has just turned one. Can you imagine opening up a shop and juggling a one year old?! Us mama's are pretty amazing sometimes. She has taken a few moments to answer a few questions to tell you a tiny bit more about herself...
I am a Graphic Designer by training doing my degree at Kingston University. I worked for several years in design agencies before moving to an in-house creative marketing position at Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers. I had a team of 15 designers and 6 magazines to publish each month so it was a high pressure, long-hours job, but I loved it - it was creative, varied, challenging, I got to travel the world and I found the group of print and digital designers that I managed really inspiring.
WHAT MADE YOU START UP YOUR SHOP 'ARCHIE'S'?
I had always planned to return to work after a one year maternity leave period, but when Jonah was actually born I realised that I couldn’t go back to a job that would take me away from him 12 hours a day, 5 days a week. So, I didn’t go back, but about 4 months in I was getting itchy feet to do something creative and knew that I wanted to work in some capacity, but doing something new where I could be my own boss, set my own hours and work around Jonah’s needs. I spent many a midnight hour dreaming up vague plans (Jonah didn’t sleep very well at all until he was 10 months old), and then I stumbled across a shop to let in Crystal Palace where I live. Due to my personal circumstances and a definite baby boom in the area, I decided I wanted to open a shop, selling stylish, design-led products for babies. I did a LOT of research, sourced my stock, developed my brand, wrote my business plan... and then days before I was due to get the keys, the property fell through. I was heartbroken. But, after a few weeks of Bridget Jones style depression, I picked myself up, re-wrote my business plan and decided to put all my hard work to use and open online. I had such a strong vision for what my shop should be. I wanted to combine style and design with craftmanship and quality whilst supporting independent artists and makers - and Archie’s is my interpretation of that.
HOW HAS BECOMING A MOTHER MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON?
I am not naturally a very patient person, but the patience and selflessness that being a mother demands from you has really chilled me out. If you had told me that I wouldn’t mind that it takes me an hour to get out of the house because I have to put the same pair of shoes back on Jonah’s feet 6 times because he keeps taking them off, or read the same story at every single nap time and bedtime, or listen to the same tinny tune on some VTech gadget without going insane; I’d never have believed you! It totally amazes me that one tiny little human being can have that effect.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FIRST TIME MUM?
Relax a bit. Nobody is perfect, we are all learning as we go along. Don’t underestimate how much you can communicate with your child, even when they are very young. Guidelines are not rules. Do not spend time feeling guilty about your parenting skills - because a stressed-out, guilt-ridden mother doesn’t make for a fun childhood! Oh, and treasure every, single moment.
ASIDE FROM COFFEE WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?!
My family and friends (soppy but true) and liquid eyeliner.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS OR TIPS TO MAKING MOTHERHOOD A TEENY BIT EASIER?
Have some time away, even for a couple of hours a week. I sing in a gospel choir and I returned to rehearsals when Jonah was 8 weeks old. It wasn’t easy to start with, I would spend all day expressing enough milk to leave behind for my husband to feed him with, but I had 2 hours every week where I could completely escape, keep my own identity and relax. Although I was hugely sleep-deprived, a change was as good as a rest. I’m so grateful to my husband for giving me that time - it has been invaluable... and still is!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO START UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS
Take a chance if you have it. As long as you have a good business plan, researched it a LOT and calculated your risk - go for it. No regrets.
PS They've re-set the top baby blog counter, so if you could take a second to vote for me, then that'd be just lovely, thank you xxx
20/09/2012
HONEST FOOD {Guest Post by Ashley}
Howdy folks. Sarah and I did a little switch today, per my request, to shake things up a bit. Sarah's done her own version of the nibble tray experiment to share with my readers and I've decided to try my hand at "Honest Food" to share with ya'll. I'm Ashley, by the way, author of The Stork & The Beanstalk. Hooper is my horrible eater. He is 22 months old. I'm also mother to Van, who is nearly 2 months old (where does the time go?). Here we go...
ROUND ONE.
{Veggie burger & Kiwi}
Like a child, my challenges with feeding Hooper are constantly in a state of change. There was a time when it was hard to get Hooper to try new things. Then there was a time when it was hard to get him to eat period. This included things he "liked". Now we're at a stage where he is more willing to try new things and is better at eating his regular stuff. So you're probably wondering what the problem is, right? The problem is chewing. And swallowing. Yup, he'll put the bite in his mouth but then it just sits there. If I remind him to chew, he does this fake chew to totally mock me.
What I should have done, to give the complete honest truth, was photograph the clock at the beginning and at the end because each meal is taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r. Seriously. Some meals take an hour to finish. I've learned to plop myself down at the kitchen table with the boppy to breastfeed Van, the remotes to the TV (in case I need to turn on Gabba Gabba for distraction), my phone (in case it rings), and his cars (an alternate distraction, if needed). It's ridiculous. I even position my chair close enough to the door so I can let our dog in and out. But, as you can see from above, he ate... to be continued.
What I should have done, to give the complete honest truth, was photograph the clock at the beginning and at the end because each meal is taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r. Seriously. Some meals take an hour to finish. I've learned to plop myself down at the kitchen table with the boppy to breastfeed Van, the remotes to the TV (in case I need to turn on Gabba Gabba for distraction), my phone (in case it rings), and his cars (an alternate distraction, if needed). It's ridiculous. I even position my chair close enough to the door so I can let our dog in and out. But, as you can see from above, he ate... to be continued.
ROUND TWO.
{Avocado & cream cheese on whole wheat toast, strawberries not pictured}
I got smart for this round and included a before and after of the clock so you have a better idea of the length of the struggle. You can't photograph the struggle. It's like taking a picture of someone before running a marathon and after. Yeah, they did it, but can you feel the burn in their legs or the deflation in their lungs? No soiree. In any case, as you can see by the photos, he ate. I feel like a putz because I'm always complaining about how hard it is to feed Hooper and, lately, how l o n g it takes. And then I photograph this particular meal, and am therefore bound to it, and it doesn't really take so long. If you questioning if the 30 or so minutes it took to "finish" is considered fast, the answer is yes. It was also relatively easy, meaning no major distractions were needed. The TV stayed off and no toys were on the table. Well, that's not totally true. The truth is that the gardeners were next door and he was mesmerized by the sound of the lawn mower. He knows this means strangers in the yard. My favorite day and time to feed Hooper is on Tuesday, when the gardeners come. This boy's eyes are stuck on the window like Jerry Sandusky's eyes are stuck on little boys (low blow?, okay I take it back). In any case, just the mere sound of the gardeners next door had Hooper captivated, eyebrows raised and finger pointing like the coolest thing was going on so close and I was missing it. And with that, his mouth opened and this teeth chewed and by golly, he swallowed. It all has me wondering if it wouldn't be easier to drive to the local hardware store, pick up some of the workers lining the street in front, and pay them to fake mow our lawn during mealtimes. I guess I'll reserve that as a last resort because, you know, sometimes it's nice to have a trick in the back pocket.
ROUND THREE.
{Spinach pancake with blueberries & raspberries}
For this round I also included some photos of the struggle I speak of. I started with bribing him with cars. I do this by giving him a car, letting him play with it briefly, then I take the car away and offer it to him only if he takes a bite of food. Then he takes a bite (best case scenario) and I give him the car back and we repeat. Or... he still refuses the bite (worse case scenario) and I have to turn to plan B which may include either of the following: moving his high chair away from the table (he protests every time) or turning on the TV (Yo Gabba Gabba). Today, the cars were enough and when he did get bored of those, I broke out his favorite book "Go, Dog, Go!" (because of the dogs in cars, of course). Although it did take a while to finish the meal, this one went relatively smoothly with minimal protest. You can only imagine how much longer it takes when there are tears involved.
I think we all do the best we can as mothers. Maybe what I'm doing isn't "right", per say, but it's what works. I'm always open to suggestions, so by all means. I'd like to conclude with a special thanks to Sarah for welcoming me as a guest on her lovely blog and another special thanks to Stanley, who in making his "mum's" life difficult, has made me a new friend across the sea.
*footnote: my post over on Ashley's will be posted tomorrow, her time. Because you see we are in different places and times and well I'm off to France tomorrow too!
27/06/2012
A NEW LOOK
well i hope you like it. i've been meaning to change it for a while to give it my own stamp and make it look a bit cleaner and easier to navigate. my lovely friend put it all together with me and was extremely patient as i dithered about and changed my mind a few times! i'm hoping to add my contact and about pages very soon as well as a link to my new ETSY shop where i will be selling original book artwork, digital prints and the like. i will let you know when it's all done and celebrate the ETSY shop opening with a giveaway! thanks for all your lovely comments so far about my new blog look, i really appreciate all of them.
♥ S & s
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